Africa is no stranger to military coups

A coup d’état is the illegal and overt seizure of a state by the military or other elites within the state apparatus.
From the 60s, Africa was renowned for its military coup d’états, a practice which stretched until the early 2000s. While the Zimbabwean military has allegedly seized control of the state to protect president Robert Mugabe from ‘criminals’ surrounding him, let’s take a look at some of the most recent coups in Africa.

Burkina Faso: 8 October 2016
The 2016 Burkinabé coup d’état attempt was an attempt to overthrow the government of Burkina Faso. At least 30 former members of the elite presidential guard (known as the RSP) planned an attack on three locations: the presidential residence, an army barracks, and a prison in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.

Two people were killed and at least 10 other people were arrested in connection with the attempt.The attempted coup was led by Gaston Coulibaly, an ex-RSP member. The coup attempt failed because it was intercepted by the country’s security forces.

Central African Republic: March 24, 2013
Muslim Séléka rebel coalition leader Michel Djotodia overthrew then-president François Bozizé in December of 2012.

A peace agreement followed, naming Djotodia the first deputy prime minister for national defence, but the agreement didn’t last long. Djotodia and the rebels captured capital city Bangui and officially took power on 24 March 2013, which they held until 10 January 2014. Djotodia resigned but the fighting continued due to harsh pressure from regional leaders.

Lesotho: 30 August 2014
On the day, prime minister of Lesotho, Tom Thabane, alleged a coup d’état had been launched against him. This came after a previous allegation that caused him to suspend parliament over possible extra-constitutional manoeuvres.

It also followed pressure from South Africa to maintain the democratic process. The next day, the deputy prime minister, Mothetjoa Metsing, assumed responsibility for running the government. As a result of South African-led SADC mediation, an early election was scheduled and held in February 2015, giving power to the opposition.

Mali: March 22, 2012
As the conflict in Northern Mali between the soldiers and Tuareg rebels escalated, the army was extremely displeased with Malian president’s Amadou Toumani Touré handling of the crisis.

A group of soldiers attacked the presidential palace following what was supposed to be a peaceful protest, ousting Touré and taking control of the country.

International condemnation followed, and the military leaders stepped down in the following months to give power to a transitional government.

Burundi: 13 May 2015
Army general Godefroid Niyombare said he was dismissing President Pierre Nkurunziza following the 2015 Burundian unrest. However, the presidency tweeted that the situation was under control and there was no coup.

Nkurunziza was at the time in neighbouring Tanzania attending the 13th Extraordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State, which had been convened to discuss the situation in Burundi.
Nkurunziza quickly attempted to return to Burundi but was unable to do so because rebel soldiers had taken control of the airport in Bujumbura. Nevertheless, the head of the armed forces, Prime Niyongabo, said on state radio on 13 and14 May that the coup attempt had been defeated, and he called on rebel soldiers to surrender.

Loyalist forces remained in control of the state radio and presidential palace Shortly thereafter, heavy fighting was reported around the state radio as it was attacked by rebel soldiers
Nkurunziza’s office announced the president’s successful return to Burundi on 14 May, as army and police loyal to him regained control of much of Bujumbura.

On 15 May, the government said it arrested Niyombare and two other leaders of the coup and would charge them with mutiny.

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